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Sleeved 11/29 Down 20 lbs at one week appt. Started on soft diet. On soft diet 2 weeks- down 10lbs. So far so good. I noticed that I fell back on my Water once I started on the soft, and I could tell. So I worked on that and back up. I'm comfortable at 3-4 ounces of Protein but that's as far as I can get. I'm severely lactose intolerant so I can't eat "regular greek yogurt". But I found this yogurt by Ratio its Keto friendly and it doesn't bother me at all.its a thicker consistency and definitely filling. 4 oz and I'm done.. I use Isopure for my Protein Shakes it's whey isolate and doesn't bother. I can use Atkins but not everyday. It's a process learning what works and what doesn't. Definitely not boring!! [emoji23] I went back to work on 12/20 and was exhausted. Today was a little better not so wiped out but still tired. I hope everyone has a blessed holiday. Nannette

Pre-op, I was never a breakfast-eater: I started each day with a protein shake for years (an Atkins one with only 15g of protein). Surgery was 29 days ago and I transitioned from liquids to soft foods a week ago, and at first I was eating breakfast every day: I'd have an egg and/or a little oatmeal. It always went down fine, but I'd follow it with a protein shake and then I found that it was really hard to get my hydration in. A few days ago I started just having the protein shake for breakfast, and hydration has become much easier. My nutritionist probably wouldn't be happy if she knew, but this seems to be what's working for me. For now.

Yeah, I mean we're all going to get it, but if it's within 2 weeks of surgery, it'd be a shame.

Hold on, I'm about to use SCIENCE! Your body has a set number of calories it burns even if you are completely inert (sleeping, G-d forbid in a coma, etc.). It's called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). It fluctuates with your weight and with how fast your metabolism is. For, say, a 40-year-old, 5'4" woman who weighs 250 lbs (not unusual for a bariatric patient), BMR is around 1800. Now add on any kind of daily living to that, which required calories, and you end up with a number called total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). If you're the same woman above and you're sedentary, your TDEE might be 2200; if you are one of those nutters like me who goes to CrossFit and goes running and works a physical job, your TDEE might be as much as 3000 calories. Now. You've had your surgery. You are not physically capable of eating anywhere near that amount. Let's say you're at 800 calories a day. Simply by eating those 800 calories and existing, your body will naturally be in a 1000 calorie a day deficit. Add in sedentary lifestyle, and you're in a 1400 calorie a day deficit. Generally speaking, about 3500 calories is a pound lost (this is not always true and can be overcome by fluid retention, fluid balance, hormonal changes, menstruation, eating really salty foods, vitamin deficiencies, etc.). Now let's say you're "overeating" and you're doing 1200 calories a day; you're still 600 calories short of your caloric needs just to exist, and 1000 calories short of what you need for a sedentary lifestyle. You are going to lose weight. You are not going to 'ruin' anything. What is happening to you is your body is rebalancing its fluids. That is why the "three-week stall" happens. Every body is subject to the rules of CICO (calories in calories out), and eventually CICO will take over from your body's rebalancing and the numbers will drop again. And do measure yourself once a week! Bust/chest, waist, abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, biceps, neck. This week I didn't lose a ton of weight BUT I lost a half inch off my waist, and I can tell because my trousers keep slipping and I had to put a new hole in my belt. One suggestion: don't weigh every day. And if you can't help it—some people just have to, I'm one of them—keep a running tally and then pick a day, let's say Tuesday, and average your weight over the last seven days. Then use the average weight to gauge progress, not the number on the scale that day. Where the thick smoothies and things come in is that your stomach is still healing from the trauma of surgery. But here's the thing—your body will TELL you when it doesn't like something you eat. It will clam up your stomach. Or make you nauseated. Or have unstoppable hiccups until your stomach empties. Or give you the sniffles (which is SUPER AWESOME during a respiratory pandemic, let me tell you). I ate a bite of an egg roll yesterday and got punished for it. So... tl;dr... don't worry too much about it, especially at first. Feed your body the protein and liquid it needs, and then move on to other foods.

I mean, for me it would depend heavily on whether "a few weeks" is within 14 days or not - and on your general health. If it were me pre-surgery, before I dealt with my head and the mental side of being obese, I'd honestly be reluctant to go. Not because of covid, but because of the change of plans from family to 75+ people. Somehow, being obese in such large settings always made me want to cancel. Covid would be a welcome excuse for me, but it wouldn't be the real reason I'd want to cancel. Maybe some of that is at play here? I mean, I'd be pretty pissed if someone just changed my Christmas without asking me.

I am 1 week post-op and I have the same thing on 1 out of 2 of my incisions and my doctor just told me to try to not wear a bra because any kind of build up of moisture, sweat, all that good stuff can create irritation for the incision sites. Just put some A&D around the bumps not the incision and it will help calm the itching sensation down. Works miracles for me. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey!! I am a week post-op and I can start soft foods tomorrow. Honestly the first week was rough, and I originally didn't wanna go to families either because I either thought it would mess me up mentally or just make me feel weird only having fluids. But even now I can have Soups and stuff and I prefer my Protein Shakes. For me though I could eat so much before and now I eat 3-4 bites of cheese and broccoli Soup and I'm full. So honestly it doesn't bother me, and I'm 14lbs down in 1 week. So this whole journey is becoming more and more motivating and you kind of just start to blur things out that you may have thought would have made you uncomfortable. It's an amazing journey. Good luck on yours hun. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey!! I am a week post-op and I can start soft foods tomorrow. Honestly the first week was rough, and I originally didn't wanna go to families either because I either thought it would mess me up mentally or just make me feel weird only having fluids. But even now I can have soups and stuff and I prefer my protein shakes. For me though I could eat so much before and now I eat 3-4 bites of cheese and broccoli soup and I'm full. So honestly it doesn't bother me, and I'm 14lbs down in 1 week. So this whole journey is becoming more and more motivating and you kind of just start to blur things out that you may have thought would have made you uncomfortable. It's an amazing journey. Good luck on yours hun. Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

Are those with surgeries soon skipping holiday gatherings due to eating restrictions or Covid fears? How are you navigating the holidays this year? I thought the Christmas celebration this year would be with immediate family only. Now, it's turned into a sit-down dinner, 75+ person blowout. I'm nervous because I'll be on the liquid diet and will be having surgery in just a couple of weeks.

Me! Surgery was December 16th! I’m ready for my new journey, week 1 has been a little hard but looking ahead and staying positive 😁

Down 110 pounds since surgery on June 20. I’ve decided this week to not worry about losing and just maintain. I’ll start losing again next week. I find that I can eat absolutely anything, just not a lot of it. Yes…you CAN have three dessert ( answering the above post), but just one bite of each. Not every day. Not even every other day. But once in a while. I have begun to try and eat more normally in the past four weeks. I get in my protein and nutrition….but I’ve begun to eat pizza and an occasional cookie or maybe tortilla chips with salsa. But I have two bites of pizza, one bite of a cookie, or 11 tortilla chips. I’m eating it all but very very consciously.

I have a spouse who doesn’t want me to have the surgery. I’m having the sleeve tomorrow and today I am 5’7 and 211. I am a severe diabetic and to the point I have to have this even though I’m at a 34 BMI due to the diabetes and health issues with that my insurance is paying 100% of the surgery. But Mr has brought me my favorite things, tried to take me to dinner and get mad when I say no during the liquid phase. The closer to surgery the more insecure he is becoming (married 20 years) I am seeing my therapist more the past week then my entire life. I will choose life and health over his insecurities and sabotaging me. I lost my very healthy thin father to diabetes when I was 17. I want to be here for my kids and grandkids. If you want this, you want life and choose, as someone here told me yesterday, to learn to love yourself then this will work and you will be successful. My sister had bypass 25 years ago and still maintaining her weight loss, her daughter had it 3 years ago maintaining her weight loss. I could go on and on but I won’t. I think the first step is seeing a therapist to find out why you are killing yourself with food. Because that is what is happening. It’s a tool, it’s up to you to succeed. And I am fighting against all odds with my Hubby but I will choose life and make this successful if that means leaving my 20 year marriage. If he loves me he will support me and help me - period

There are a few possible 'full' signals of which I've heard over the years. The first 6 weeks for me was pureed food and I would get a runny nose which I came to believe caused the foamies. Unfortunately, even as small as my portions were the sniffling usually started before I could complete it. When I advanced to normal food I also advanced to sneezing. Twice. If I take another bite I'll usually end up wretching. I try to stop before I hit 'full' so I keep my portions appropriate. But when the two sneezes occur it's time to put the utensils down and walk away. Even after 18 years, there are days where I sneeze after the first bite. And yes, it means the meals over. I can try again later if I feel the need and ability. Good luck, Tek

Thank you so much. ❤️ Thank you!! That is what I have been doing... Enjoying and eating what I can. I am functionally a vegetarian and luckily live in a large metro area so getting vegetarian meals is easy when I don't want to cook at home. I've resigned myself to having to drive further out for that, but it helps me feel "normal". Thankfully my family and friends are soooo supportive. I think this would be a lot worse if I didn't have them rooting. I will do that. I'll start looking for a therapist with disordered eating experience. I'm very worried about going in the opposite direction after WLS. I think maybe a GI will help as my PCP did ask if I wanted a referral after my stool test was basically inconclusive but I declined at the time because thanks to WLS, I found a tumor (benign! And that surgery was a success) and was getting prepped for surgery so I didn't want to do two health things at once. I'll get to looking and see if I can get someone before the end of the year. Thank you! That was my concern as well and why I posted. When I search, it's people only a few weeks out which I was already told it's normal. I've posted in other groups and keep getting told wait a year. Or I get snarky comments about being too fresh and just wait a few years until I can eat a whole pizza again. Well ... now I'm here, a year and two weeks later with no appetite and can only eat a quarter of a normal sized sandwich so I'm not sure how'd I'd be eating pizza! I also don't want to wait years and hope these issues resolve considering I did get some folks 3+ years out who still have pretty decent food restriction and intolerances as well (though never severe as mine). I really appreciate you all for responding. It was a good thing to wake up to.

if you feel nauseated, then I'd stop even if you haven't eaten the whole measured-out amount. Some people's systems just aren't ready to progress as quickly as others. Some people have to back up for a few days and then try again. And the above person is correct - a lot of us are on liquids or purees for the first two or three weeks ANYWAY. I'd contact your clinic and just let them know what's going on and see what they suggest.

Team June 2021, I hit my 6 month mark today! Since surgery, I am down a little over 80 pounds and a little over 100 pounds. Overall, I feel so much better! My daily feelings vary though. Some days I feel on top of the world (very healthy/slim) and other days, I feel like I have a long way to go and wonder if I will ever make it to goal (very fat). I have more good days than bad and I am happy for that. I move much better and exercise daily, either walking 3 miles, lap swimming, or playing adventure fit on the nintendo switch (aerobic exercise). I also lift weights three times a week. I thrive on consistency and I track everything. In regards to the upcoming holidays, it has brought on emotional feelings and this is the first time I have had doubts about having surgery (so I can never eat three different types of dessert at one time again...like ever?) It has come on in the form of anxiety and I know my hormones are out of whack; I can quite literally feel them coursing through my body it seems. I am working through this and I think I figured out this wave of emotion is because I previously associated celebration, family, and relaxation with food very deeply. So, while I have no cravings or real fear about making healthy choices, I clearly need to re-read chapters that cover emotional eating and relationship with food. May this holiday season be everything you desire - time with family, time alone, rest, a time to get pesky tasks done, inspiration to set new goals - whatever you need! Take Care All!

I’m a juney! I’m still hanging on! I’ve lost 54 pounds, total since the beginning of my journey ( august 2020) is 111pounds. I’m not losing ‘very fast’, but I’m totally OK with it. I’m not perfect, but I aim for my protein and water, and get them in MOST days :) exercise at the gym at least 3 times a week.

I'm a little over 1 year post-op. Sleeved 12/4/20 in Tijuana, amazing experience, no complications and good follow up care with a good state side PCP who approved of and supported going to Mexico. I started at 345 lbs and currently weigh 225 lbs at 5'7 so 120 lbs lost in a year. Emotionally, I'm sad, frustrated and need some support. I have zero appetite (absolutely none) and take a med who's off label usage is for binge eating disorder which further surpresses anything hunger related. This med is for executive dysfunction issues (ADHD) so going off is not an option. I have no cravings. I'm very much struggling to eat, but I have serious food intolerances. I cannot tolerate most meat such as chicken, beef or pork. It makes my stomach cramp horribly. If I do force myself to eat it, I can maybe get a few ounces in but I'm miserable for a while after. Shrimp is the only animal protein that I can tolerate consistently with little issues. Even fish can be problematic only due to palate and taste bud changes. I can no longer tolerate eggs by themselves. I vomit within 10 minutes and vomiting triggers food avoidance for days. This has been mitigated by a therapist and not eating eggs. Eggs used as a binder in things like bread, cake or muffins are fine. Rice, pasta, bread and vegetables give me no problems. Dairy is ok as long as it's Fairlife milk and protein shakes or aged cheese. Any other cow based dairy items trigger diarrhea at the worst, stomach cramping/bloating at the least. Non-dairy such as oat milk and nut milks are no issues. Most protein shakes/powders make me vomit like eggs do. I have spent hundreds of dollars on protein shakes and am grateful that my husband can drink anything or it'd all go to waste. Surprisingly, I can tolerate deli meat, but very tiny portions like in a lunchable. Same goes for sandwiches so I've been consistent with those. Snacks are non-existent except for sunflower seeds. Sometimes even Doritos bother me. The only slider food I had for a while was ice cream, but it triggered lactose issues I've never had before so... Drinking is not an issue though I do have issues with certain waters, but juice? Tea? Coffee? No problems! Anything liquid doesn't bother my stomach. Even drippings from the chicken I'll put on rice! I'm also experiencing gastro issues... Specifically the trigger to release your bowels when you eat. It's an involuntarily action your body does, but mine is violent. For months I had nothing my diarrhea after eating. I did a stool test and it was only slight inflammation. It's slowed down some but I just stick near a toilet when I eat. It doesn't matter really what I eat either. I also have GERD (did not have it prior, one of the lucky few that develop it post surgery) and am on prescription meds because OTC does not work. GERD is not every day. I'll have a flare up (connected to nothing!) Maybe 1x per month for a few days and then nothing. The above intolerances and gastro issue trigger food avoidance how vomiting does. I'm literally disgusted 99% of the time I'm in the kitchen when looking to feed myself because of the physical issues I'm having with food. I have no problems cooking for and feeding others (I have a family) and being in the kitchen and cooking is still an absolute joy. I have no negative physical or mental reactions to food that I do not plan to eat. Strangely, I'm VERY excited to still try new foods and will go with friends or family who have as diverse palates as I do and will taste their item. But it's literally a taste. I know I'm not eating enough, weightloss has definitely stalled due to the lower calories. I'm taking my vitamins like clock work and while I'm due for more blood work, my last was great. Feeding myself feels like a huge chore. VSG has done it's job - it's changed me metabolically. No more appetite, no more cravings and has completely rewired my brain to not enjoy food at all. I'm only a year PO so... Could this change? How do I combat this? Should I stop whining? Does it get better? Should I go back to therapy? Would a revision help? I feel like most people want to only look at food as a necessity. I wish I was disinterested in food like I am now, but without the physical side effects that make me sick or keep me on a toilet. I appreciate you reading this far!

Exactly. Remember also we, all have a natural weight fluctuation, we just notice it more now because we ‘re more vigilant with weighing ourselves & recording our weight. I’ve discovered my natural fluctuation is a kilogram (2.2lbs). Any more or less & I reflect on what I’ve eaten or not eaten. Has my water intake been more or less? Did I have some alcohol? Am I constipated? Am I peeing more or less? … Should say I’m maintaining & am pretty vigilant but the principle is the same. If you’re still losing & your weight loss trend is still downwards your golden. If you’re maintaining, reflect on your last week & see what next week brings. Three pounds may be your natural fluctuation. Congrats on your weight loss. Whoo hoo.

I start my liquid diet as my nutritionist puts it liquid deliciousness 🤬🤣 on Jan 4th I think I am more worried about that then the surgery itself. I just keep saying to myself it’s going to be worth it it’s going to be worth it. I wish I just could stay home for those 2 weeks lol.

Had pre- anesthesia appointment today surgery Jan 18th. All Dec surgeries cancelled at my hospital in Ohio. As of now they are saying if it is already scheduled for Jan they are still on the books but anything that was cancelled or need scheduling will be after Jan that is as of today. With this Covid who knows what will happen in the next weeks to come. Good Luck to all on keeping scheduled surgery dates.😬

Hi all! Im 4 weeks post op. I had surgical glue on my wounds which has now all come off. But ive noticed that it gets so itchy around the incision sites and theres a couple red bumps around them too. It was all fine when the glue was still on, had no issues with that so i dont think it could be an allergic reaction. Its just started up since the glue has come off. Has anyone experienced something like this? Im a nurse with some wound training, the wounds are healing quite well, no signs of infection or anything but my god this itchiness around them! Just havent heard of itchy bumps around the wounds before🥴 If it keeps up much longer ill be contacting the surgeon!

Not sure... I'm not doing Keto, just kind of intuitive eating, trying to eat clean. I was doing pretty well, but have veered a bit. I'm very happy that I did NOT gain back the weight I lost on the pre-op liquid diet, so for me that's a win - I've lost 2 pounds since. Not a lot, and I hope I can keep it off during the holidays and make wise choices. After this week I am going to call and see what my options are and then make a decision from there.

I had the bypass 11/30. 3 weeks out I am only down 16lbs. I get your frustration! Following everything to the t. Getting in the right amount of protein and fluids. Was hoping I’d feel all of this is worth it but haven’t yet. All I can say is stick to it and hopefully the progress will follow. That’s what I keep telling myself anyways!